Common Sense Media Review
By Amanda Bindel
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Program robots with code blocks, plenty of creative options.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Blockly for Dash & Dot Robots
Parent and Kid Reviews
Privacy Rating Warning
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
What's It About?
A Driving School lesson starts kids off with BLOCKLY FOR DASH AND DOT ROBOTS, introducing them to the commands that drive the robots. Once kids have their license, they can complete themed puzzles and unlock more as they advance or create original programs. Dash and Dot can drive in all directions, look toward a voice, light up in different colors, and make different sounds, including custom-recorded sounds. Kids can add in other variables to make the robots respond to obstacles and other conditions, too.
Is It Any Good?
Though these big-eyed robots may be absolutely adorable and good for lots of laughs with their quirky sound effects, they're actually teaching kids logic and hands-on coding skills. Creating their own projects is truly how kids can learn and have fun -- experimenting, taking risks, and applying logic and creativity. In terms of drawbacks, the puzzles are sometimes buggy, and there's very little help for kids who get stuck: The hints simply repeat the original instructions with slightly different wording and a bit of elaboration. However, the options available for sounds, lights, and movement make the possibilities for what kids can do with Dash and Dot almost endless. Though the robots are prohibitively expensive for many families, the potential for learning and fun is great, and perhaps the prices will fall over time.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how robots are used today and how they could be used in the future.
Talk about the features of Dash and Dot that make them seem more lifelike. How does that make us relate to them?
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : logic , solving puzzles , strategy , Tech Skills : digital creation , using and applying technology
- Pricing structure : Paid, Free (Requires $149.99 Dash or $49.99 Dot robot from Wonder Workshop.)
- Release date : November 1, 2017
- Genre : Education
- Topics : Robots
- Publisher : Wonder Workshop
- Version : 2.9.7
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 8.0 or later; Android 4.4 and up
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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